7 Faith-Filled Anniversary Trips to Celebrate Love and Legacy

One idea is to explore sacred sites related to Christianity. Going to these sites will be a personal experience for both of you, strengthening your bond with God and each other. Some places to visit include:

The Holy Land: This is the birthplace of Christianity and is rich in history and tradition. Walking the streets of Jerusalem and seeing the Sea of Galilee brings a whole new meaning to our faith to see these sites in person.

Santiago de Compostela: This famous pilgrimage route in Spain leads to a cathedral that is said to have the remains of St. James the Apostle, making it a sacred destination for Christians.

The Vatican City: This city is important to Christians worldwide. It is home to St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel. It is an iconic city that should be visited to behold its beautiful history.

Nature has a way of bringing us back to ourselves and each other. The peace provides a way to relax, reflect, and reconnect. Here are some ideas for romantic retreats that embrace nature and a spiritual connection.

Mountain Retreat: Mountains are a great way to get high above the terrain and enjoy God's creation. The serene atmosphere will help you connect with him and each other. Choose a hiking trail that is ideal for your fitness level and enjoy all the creation along the way.

Beach or Oceanfront Retreats: Ocean waves, sand, and sun have long been the ideal way to relax and are a great way to spend time with the Lord. Enjoy the sound of the waves, the sun on your face, and the sand squishing beneath your feet.

Desert Solitude: The beauty and silence of the desert is a great way to relax and talk to God. Pick a cooler part of the day to visit an area of the desert and bring a water bottle, a Bible, a journal, and an open heart. Plan on viewing either a sunrise or a sunset to get the maximum effect of God's beauty.

Gardens and Parks: Research some gardens and parks you would like to visit. Marvel at all God has created for us and thank him for the beautiful sights and sounds you hear.

Renewing your vows on your anniversary is a great way to show your commitment and love for each other. Here are some creative and romantic places to consider for a destination vow renewal ceremony.

Villa Lena, Tuscany, Italy: Renew your vows in the gardens of Tuscany at Villa Lena with an alfresco candlelit dinner and dancing until dawn.

Hermosa Inn, Paradise Valley Arizona: Travel publications rank Hermosa Inn, Paradise Valley, AZ, among America's most romantic hotels. They have both indoor and outdoor spaces for your wedding, including intimate spaces to host a small group of family and friends or lush gardens when having a larger event.

Thousand Trails Lake Conroe, Houston TX: If you want to stay a little closer to home, this camping and RV resort is along the edge of the water, surrounded by trees and wide, open skies. They have a vow renewal ceremony every Labor Day weekend where couples can renew their vows at the picturesque site at an affordable cost. NOTE: Check their website or contact the resort for the details.

Other Fun Ideas:

Under the Sea: You don't have to know how to scuba dive or even swim to renew your vows under the sea. Many resorts around the globe can help you with a vow renewal ceremony surrounded by colorful marine life.

In a Hot-Air Balloon: This is a great idea if you aren't afraid of heights. Only you, your spouse, the officiant, and the pilot will be there. It is the perfect, intimate ceremony.

In a National Park: Our country has lots of beautiful parks that would make a great place for a vow renewal ceremony. Make sure you check out rules, regulations, and special permits first.

At a Renaissance Festival: Many festivals around the country offer a vow renewal package. Contact your local fair's director for details. If they don't offer this service, research fairs in other states close by to see what they offer.

Where You First Met or The Place of Your First Date: This won't work for everyone. But if you met somewhere special or went on your first date somewhere interesting, it might be neat to have a vow renewal ceremony there. For example, if you met at a local park or a friend's party. You could have a vow renewal ceremony at the park or maybe even in your friend's backyard.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages

If you decide to go on a marriage retreat for your anniversary, here are some activities you can do to reconnect.

Take a Self-Guided Prayer Walk: Make a list of topics to pray about together as a couple, and then take a walk together. As you pray together, you will draw closer to each other and become more aware of what God is doing in your lives.

Take a Hike: Choose a hiking trail and enjoy all that God has created.

Worship and Bible Study: Spend an hour every morning reading the Bible together and spend some time worshipping the Lord.

Relax: If the retreat space has a spa, get a massage. Sit around the campfire and talk. Do a craft, read a book, or cuddle together. Anything that brings you both relaxation.

Recreation: If your retreat area offers rock-climbing, high ropes, or other activities that are out of the norm for you, try them out together. This will help both of you step out of your comfort zone and achieve a goal together.

A Christian retreat center is a great way to get away from your daily life and connect with God and each other.

Kinds of Retreats:

Silent Retreats: These retreats focus on deep reflection and communication with God. Participants refrain from conversation and instead focus on prayer and reading the Bible.

Guided Group Retreats: These retreats encourage personal reflection. They include activities facilitated by pastors and have worship services, Bible study, and group discussions.

Specialized Retreats: These retreats cater to particular demographics, including couples, teenagers, and single mothers.

Christian retreats offer activities such as worship services, prayer sessions, Bible study, nature walks, personal journaling, group discussions, and outdoor activities. They are a great way to connect with God and each other.

Another great idea for an anniversary trip is a legacy journey.

What Is a Legacy Trip?

A legacy trip is an intentional trip full of meaning that creates lasting memories and deepens family bonds across generations.

Start with Your "Why"

Why do you want to take a trip with your family? It could be to trace your legacy in another country, celebrate grandpa's milestone birthday, or enjoy some intimate moments before a big event like an upcoming move.

Some Things to Consider with Your Itinerary

Keep a balance between popular and immersive: Plan to see some popular sites, but don't forget to add some private experiences.

Travel Slowly: Don't cram a bunch of things into one day. Instead, plan fewer stops and immerse yourself in each place to soak up the ambience, sights, sounds, and smells.

Weave in Family Rituals: For example, attend church together and then cook dinner together on Sunday, even though you are on vacation. You can even start new rituals that will become family traditions.

Include Everyone: Make sure you include activities appropriate for every generation going on the trip.

Add Personal Touches That Matter

-Plan some surprises for young travelers when arriving at your destination.

-Book a class or two that correlates with a family member's passions for everyone to enjoy, like a cooking or pottery class.

-If possible, hire a professional photographer to capture personal moments.

-Don't forget a keepsake to commemorate your journey.

Take a trip to where you first went on vacation. If you met at college out of state, take a trip back and see how it's changed. Go back to your hometown and reminisce. Taking a day trip or a cross-country trip to relive old memories is a great way to spend an anniversary and to thank God for putting you in the right place at the right time.

Don't Forget to Be Present

Make sure you are present in the moment with your loved ones.

Anniversary trips are a fun way to celebrate your love for each other and your family's legacy. If you have an anniversary coming up, keep these ideas in mind so you can plan the best trip ever.